Image Credits: Kindred Ventures / Heartbeat Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., but the healthcare industry spends more money helping patients after they get sick, instead of keeping them healthy.
Heartbeat Health has raised more than $30 million to develop a digital data layer that uses telemedicine, remote diagnostics and digital heart health programs to give patients and clinicians a more proactive way to stay healthy.
On the last episode of TechCrunch Live, we spoke with Wessler and Maqubela to find out how the first deal came together.
Maqubela said that they look for founders who have a combination of domain insight and domain experience. They know why you can't do anything there. It takes a beginner's mind to have real insight in some areas.
Experience is often seen as an advantage to have in the industry you are trying to solve, but it must be coupled with insight to see a solution.
Maqubela said Wessler's optimism about addressing cardiovascular health in a new way and his deep understanding of the existing landscape were attractive.
He said that there are certain criteria that need to be met before they can invest in a founder. Kindred looks for personality that people want to partner with. As part of the investment due diligence, Kindred helped recruit technical co-founding partners.
The theory was that if one of them was ready to quit their job and go work with this cardiologist, that would be a really important input that he is CEO material.
Wessler and Maqubela highlighted an early slide as we dove into the pitch deck.
The extra context around the problem of heart disease itself was important in telling the Heartbeat Health story. cardiovascular disease is a bigger threat than all cancers combined, but is 80% preventable.
Maqubela said that it was the biggest health issue facing America. It was a problem that gripped you.
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